Former NPP running‑mate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known as NAPO, addressed a crowd at the 2026 Nkrumahfest in Nkroful, Western Region, on Saturday, September 19, urging Ghanaians to set aside partisan divisions and uphold the legacy of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The event marked the 117th birthday of Ghana’s first president. NAPO’s call came after controversy over remarks he made during the 2024 election campaign, when he compared the achievements of past presidents and said that no president since independence had helped Ghana more than President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo‑Addo, adding that “not even your Kwame Nkrumah” had moved the country forward. He later apologized, stating he did not intend to disrespect Nkrumah or any former president.
Speaking at the festival, NAPO said Nkrumah’s contribution to Ghana and Africa should not be diminished by partisan politics. “Nkrumah’s vision was expansive, visionary and fiercely Pan‑African,” he said. “Therefore, celebrating him in this magnificent defensive manner in his home district is a duty incumbent upon all of us.”
He urged citizens to place national unity and patriotism above political divisions when reflecting on Nkrumah’s legacy. “True patriotism demands that we rise above partisan narrowness to honour those who laid the bedrock upon which our present democracy and national identity rests,” he added. NAPO also called for a renewed commitment to selfless service, patriotism, national unity and development in preserving Nkrumah’s ideals.
Observers note that NAPO’s appeal seeks to bridge political fault lines amid ongoing debates over Ghana’s direction. The former running‑mate’s message is expected to resonate across party lines as the country prepares for future elections.
